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  • Donebrokeit

    April 4, 2011 1:33 p.m. Donebrokeit Reader

    I am in need of a small welder and would like some input on two cheap units from Harbor Freight. I need to do some overhead welding (steel) and a few other odds and ends.

    I have used a MIG welder in days gone by but was in a flat environment will a MIG work for overhead (non gas )

    http://www.harborfreight.com/90-amp-flux-wire-welder-98871.html

    Or should I buy a small stick machine? It has been even a longer time since I struck an arc but I am sure I could pick it back up.

    http://www.harborfreight.com/120-amp-arc-welder-98870.html

    The price is not that far off I am just not sure if the MIG can weld overhead or not?

    Thanks Paul B

  • KATYB

    April 4, 2011 1:38 p.m. KATYB New Reader

    yes mig will work over head. altho be aware you will get burnt to hell without useing gas atleast my experience. just go mig and use gas. so much nicer and easier.

  • 914Driver

    April 4, 2011 1:42 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    I had one of those Chicago Electric non-gas cheapie ones. Save your money. Find a good name mig that someone is trading up, check garage sales, Craigslist etc. Just buying tips for the C-E model was an adventure.

  • bravenrace

    April 4, 2011 1:45 p.m. bravenrace SuperDork

    Buy quality, buy American. Cheap migs are worthless.

  • donalson

    April 4, 2011 2:00 p.m. donalson SuperDork

    harbor freight has a decent welding section these days... wire, tips, clamps etc...

    sorry only have used my 220v as a flux... have access to a big stick machine but never tried to use it.

    so in short... sorry i'm no help lol

  • DILYSI Dave

    April 4, 2011 2:46 p.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

    I bought this about a month ago. Couldn't be more pleased.

    http://www.tractorsupply.com/welders/mig-welding/mig-welders/hobart-handler-reg-18...

  • Teh E36 M3

    April 4, 2011 2:54 p.m. Teh E36 M3 HalfDork

    Did you look at Eastwood's new line of welders? They're cheap and have some pretty good features, two mig's and a tig. The mig's have pretty good reviews on their site.

  • oldeskewltoy

    April 4, 2011 3:05 p.m. oldeskewltoy Reader

    Go check out your local craigslist... I paid $250 for a Hobart 130, a 4' tall gas tank(1/2 full!), 4 spools of .030 wire, and a cart!

  • oldtin

    April 4, 2011 3:17 p.m. oldtin Dork

    How to build a tig from junkyard parts

    I've got a little lincoln. Splattering mess until I converted to gas. With gas it works nice up to about 1/4" thick.

  • 4cylndrfury

    April 4, 2011 3:18 p.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

    something like THIS ONE?. Hobart is made in America, and Hobart is sold by Northern Tool, which is the name brand of the unit linked, but I cant tell if the linked welder is made in America...at <$100, Im guessing not...

  • April 4, 2011 4:19 p.m. 93gsxturbo HalfDork

    If there is any way possible to get a 220V service to your garage, get a 220V welder. They are so much nicer. Even the cheap 220V units do a better job than most of the 110V machines.

  • Streetwiseguy

    April 4, 2011 5:22 p.m. Streetwiseguy Dork

    Hobart, Esab, Lincoln, Miller, or store branded units built by one of these companies. How heavy material? Always 20ga, you are better with 110V. Want to weld heavier than 1/8, other than just tacking, go 220. Just gonna fix cultivators, buy a stick.

    I once tried a Becca 110volt unit, and it couldn't weld all the way around an exhaust pipe before it cut out.

    Buy gas. Buy gas. Buy gas.

  • JoeyM

    April 4, 2011 6:30 p.m. JoeyM SuperDork

    Get a hobart, miller or lincoln. You won't regret it......and NOT A LINCOLN FROM LOWE'S....there's a reason the "Pro-MIG" machines at Lowe's are cheaper than the "Power-MIG" machines at your local welding supply company....Pro-MIG machines are exclusive to Lowe's, and they use plastic drive wheels and gears that break easily....and you can only get parts from Lowe's.

    How big is the difference between a pro-MIG and a power-MIG? Lincoln won't sell an extended warranty for the pro-MIG.

  • 914Driver

    April 4, 2011 6:49 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    My Hobart 130 does everything I need. You mentioned stick, if you're mending tractors or pickup truck frames that's the way to go. Anything less, MIG it.

    Dan

  • internetautomart

    April 4, 2011 8:08 p.m. internetautomart SuperDork

    I just bought a Clarke 180EN yesterday used with a 3ft tall tank, cart, 2 helmets, several wire spools (nicely packed in a ziplock bag with a silica gel packet), video tape, 50 ft extension cord, respirator masks, and a few cans of weld through primer for $400. Not the worlds greatest deal, but a fair one IMO.

 
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